LG Electronics Appoints Ahmad Abed to Lead Air Conditioning Operations Across MEA Region MEA: LG Electronics has appointed Ahmad Abed as Chief Operating Officer of its ES Company Air Conditioning division for the Middle East and Africa region. Abed brings nearly 20 years of HVAC industry experience within LG, most recently serving as Gulf Sales Director. The appointment supports LG’s strategy to expand its HVAC business across the MEA region, where demand for energy-efficient

Oman Oman: Oman has introduced a new investment opportunity for an air conditioning manufacturing plant as part of a broader industrial development initiative aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities. The proposed facility requires an investment of approximately OMR 6.54 million (US$17 million) and will focus on producing energy-efficient cooling units for both domestic and regional markets. The project is included in a package of manufacturing opportunities sup

The Rise of Made in Saudi: Expanding Local Production of Sanitaryware and Tiles Saudi Arabia is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for sanitaryware and tiles manufacturing, supported by localization policies, industrial investments, and rapidly expanding construction activity across the Kingdom. This transition closely aligns with the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” initiative, launched in March 2021 under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NI

CASAVIA Signs Supply Agreement With NHC Platform Saudi Arabia: Saudi Industrial Development Co. subsidiary SIDC Ceramic Factory (CASAVIA) has signed an agreement with National Housing Company (NHC) to support the supply of sanitary ware products through the “SupplyPro” platform. The platform is designed to automate supply chain operations within the construction sector and connect manufacturers with real estate developers, contractors and end-users to improve supply efficienc

Sanitaryware UAE: RAK Ceramics demonstrated resilient performance in Q1 2026 despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and elevated logistics costs across several regions. The company benefited from strong demand in key markets such as the UAE and Bangladesh, while its position as a local manufacturer enabled greater operational flexibility and quicker adaptation to changing market conditions. By increasing the use of locally sourced raw materials and p

Middle East Crisis Middle East: The Middle East conflict has caused a major disruption in global natural gas markets, particularly due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for LNG shipments. This has removed nearly 20% of global LNG supply from the market, leading to a sharp tightening of supply conditions. Global LNG production declined by around 8% year on year, while exports from major producers such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates dr

Over 51,000 Hectares in Land Preparation Iran: National Land and Housing Organization Managing Director Ali Nabian announced that contractor claims in the land preparation sector have been paid from the organization’s resources, highlighting continued progress in land development efforts. Speaking via a report from the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development, he emphasized that under the 14th government, land preparation alongside land supply has been actively pursued, wi

Rising Adoption of VRF Systems in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s central air conditioning systems market is entering a transition phase, where technological preference is beginning to shift rather than simply expand. This transition is reflected in a CAGR of approximately 8-9% over 2021-2025, with the market now entering a phase of double-digit growth. Within this evolving landscape, VRF systems are moving from a peripheral role to a strategically important growth segment. Devel

Amaal Awards $490 Million Contract for Mansory Branded Luxury Tower in Dubai UAE: Amaal has awarded a $490 million contract to Citic Middle East Contracting for the construction of Mansory Residences in Dubai, a luxury branded residential tower scheduled for completion in Q4 2028. The project is backed by Citic Construction and represents the world’s first residential development under the Mansory brand. The contractor will manage full construction works, including structural

RAK Ceramics Maintains Operations and Pricing Amid Regional Conditions UAE: RAK Ceramics has stated that it will continue operations across the United Arab Emirates and the wider region without disruption, maintaining access across its retail and project channels. The company indicated that it will not increase prices despite ongoing geopolitical conditions, with a focus on maintaining product availability and service continuity for customers, partners and stakeholders. The c

ZIEHL-ABEGG Joins Eurovent Middle East as New Member UAE: Eurovent Middle East has announced the addition of ZIEHL-ABEGG as a new member. Headquartered in Germany, the company operates across multiple production and sales locations and supplies products to more than 100 countries. Its portfolio includes solutions in ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and drive technology, serving sectors such as commercial and industrial buildings, automotive and infrastructure. “We

Energy Efficiency MIDDLE EAST: All government facilities have been instructed to implement energy conservation measures to reduce electricity consumption where feasible, as part of efforts to manage energy use amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. In a joint statement on April 8, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the National Environment Agency outlined steps such as setting air conditioners at 25°C or higher and switching off or unplugging non-essential

Saudi Arabia records increase in FDI inflows in Q4 2025 Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia reported foreign direct investment net inflows of SAR 48.4 billion (approximately USD 12.9 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 90 per cent increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics. On a quarterly basis, net inflows rose by 82 per cent. Total FDI inflows reached SAR 50.6 billion (approximately USD 13.5

West Asia tensions disrupt Morbi ceramic industry; high PNG prices stall fuel shift INDIA: Ceramic manufacturers in Morbi, Gujarat, have extended their shutdown until May 1, following a sharp increase in piped natural gas (PNG) prices by Gujarat Gas Limited. The industry had halted operations on March 17 due to a fuel supply disruption linked to tensions in Iran, which affected propane-LPG imports via the Strait of Hormuz. Tile manufacturers, who rely heavily on LPG, are now

Qatar Qatar: Qatar real estate market recorded a 29% year on year increase in total sales value, rising from approximately US$7.3 billion in 2024 to US$9.4 billion in 2025, according to data from Real Estate Regulatory Authority Aqarat. Land and villa transactions remained the dominant segments, contributing the largest share to overall sales despite a slight decline in their individual values. Apartment and building transactions also maintained steady activity, supporting ov

Oman Oman: Oman recorded a 3.1% increase in non oil GDP in 2025, reaching US$74.5 billion compared to US$72.2 billion in 2024, according to data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Non oil activities accounted for about 72.1% of total GDP, reflecting continued progress in economic diversification. The services sector remained the largest contributor, accounting for nearly 47.8% of GDP, supported by growth in financial services, transport, telecommunications a

Saudi Fund Launches Social Housing Project in Djibouti SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudi Fund for Development has inaugurated a social housing project in Djibouti, reinforcing long-standing development cooperation between the two countries. Valued at over $30 million, the initiative involves the construction of 520 housing units aimed at improving living conditions for low-income communities. Beyond residential development, the project includes supporting infrastructure such as roads,

District Cooling vs. Conventional HVAC in the Middle East District cooling emerges as a cornerstone of long-term energy efficiency and smart urban planning in the Gulf. In the Middle East, cooling is a year-round necessity that influences building design and energy consumption, with air conditioning being a significant energy user. District cooling, which centralizes cooling production and distributes it to multiple buildings, is preferred in Gulf countries for its efficienc

South Korean Firms Pause Middle East Operations Amid Rising Regional Tensions MIDDLE EAST: Major South Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Company and LG Electronics, have temporarily suspended parts of their operations in the Middle East as security concerns escalate following tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The companies have prioritised employee safety by halting on-ground business activities in some areas and implementing

Rising Middle East Conflict Impacts Shipping, Oil Prices, and International Trade MIDDLE EAST: Rising geopolitical tensions and policy changes are creating fresh uncertainty in global trade. Escalation in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran pushed oil and gas prices higher, with Brent crude briefly exceeding $82 per barrel. The situation has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying around 20% of global oil and LNG, while attacks a